E90Post
 


 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BIMMERPOST Universal Forums > General Automotive (non-BMW) Talk + Photos/Videos > The best cheap beater for under $2,000



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      03-04-2009, 11:01 AM   #1
xxForgedxx
Lieutenant
595
Rep
516
Posts

Drives: Slow/Fat
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: USA

iTrader: (1)

The best cheap beater for under $2,000

I am going to be looking for a beater over the summer. I was wondering what the least problematic vehicles for under $2,000 could be. I see cars like Volvos and such with over 200,000 miles for a little under this cap with owners swearing by them as the most reliable car ever but nothing screams red flag like a foreign car with over 200k...

The last car I made the mistake of using as my beater seemed ok but ended up being the biggest hunk of problematic, unsellable TRASH I had ever owned. The heat didn't work, the transmission was like a heroin addict without his heroin, just garbage!

1994 Mazda 626 DX = Fail...

It seems like domestics are cheap but I always worry about them because low mileage on those cars is typically higher mileage on others. Just because it's low doesn't mean anything.

What should I stay away from and what should I shoot for?

Honda, Toyota are seemingly too expensive: This price range gets you a rust bucket that needs work typically.
Appreciate 0
      03-04-2009, 11:14 AM   #2
NewSong
Just another jerk in a hat...
NewSong's Avatar
United_States
117
Rep
1,462
Posts

Drives: 2005 Ford Focus
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Irvine

iTrader: (0)

I still have a bad taste in my mouth from an 03 Hyundai I bought used a few years back. The car only had 30,000 miles on it (at the time), and after 2 days of ownership it was at AAMCO for a transmission problem.
__________________
He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

And he hath put a new song in my mouth.
Appreciate 0
      03-04-2009, 11:26 AM   #3
ZJP
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
125
Rep
1,759
Posts

Drives: F10 535xi / B6 S4
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LI, NY

iTrader: (7)

I bought my '91 BMW 318is w/ 183,000 miles for $500.

It needed a few minor things replaced but now it runs flawlessly and it's very reliable. I don't see the harm in buying a Euro car with high miles, they are built to last.
Appreciate 0
      03-04-2009, 11:30 AM   #4
LI E90
Colonel
LI E90's Avatar
130
Rep
2,086
Posts

Drives: E90
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Long Island

iTrader: (2)

mid 90's camry
__________________
2013 MB C300 4matic
2014 Ford Explorer Ltd
1973 Jeep Commando
Appreciate 0
      03-04-2009, 11:35 AM   #5
xxForgedxx
Lieutenant
595
Rep
516
Posts

Drives: Slow/Fat
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: USA

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by LI E90 View Post
mid 90's camry
You're not gonna get a mid 90's Camry for under $2,000 that doesn't need more money put into it.
Appreciate 0
      03-04-2009, 12:03 PM   #6
imported_mega
Colonel
No_Country
122
Rep
2,199
Posts

Drives: various bmw's
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: neverland

iTrader: (0)

if your handy, E30's are a good bet, people actually try to keep them running (unlike most other beater junk) and the problems they have are well known and relatively easy to work with
__________________
You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.
Driving e82, e72, e85, R53 Gone but not forgotten..
1974 2002, many various 3s.
Appreciate 0
      03-04-2009, 12:14 PM   #7
ChrisV
7er
ChrisV's Avatar
United_States
9
Rep
409
Posts

Drives: 1998 BMW 740iL
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Pikesville, MD

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
1998 740iL  [6.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by xxForgedxx View Post
You're not gonna get a mid 90's Camry for under $2,000 that doesn't need more money put into it.
Every car in that category will need money put into it to be perfect or even nice. The idea at that price range is to leave things non-perfect if they are not completely mission critical. And in this price range, how a car was driven/maintained will have more effect than what brand it is. I've had dirt cheap Hondas and Toyotas that were constantly stranding me, and dirt cheap domestics that didn't. And vice versa.

A couple examples, I had a $700 '83 Jetta that went 250k miles (had 180k on it when I got it) with nothing more than oil changes and brake pads. And a sub $500 '81 Chevy Citation that went from 200k miles to 323k miles. Not everything worked on either car, but the engines did, and neither left me stranded anywhere or failed to start and drive. Neither were very pretty, but that's what a cheap beater is all about.

Can you do repairs on your own or do you have to take a car to the shop for repair?

There are a lot of cars on cragslist in your area, or at least relatively close to it. So in your case, the best cheap beater will be whatever runs best in your price range.

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1059359862.html
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/ctd/1059338965.html
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1045910771.html
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/1059783043.html
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/1059114779.html
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/1059041659.html
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/1057880803.html
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/1057363865.html
__________________
1998 740iL

Appreciate 0
      03-04-2009, 12:18 PM   #8
flyinb501
Captain
72
Rep
627
Posts

Drives: 2009 E90 335i
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Minneapolis, MN

iTrader: (1)

I bought a '91 S10 4x4 about a year and a half ago with 235000 miles for $350. The truck has been awesome! Great in the snow, and really nice to have the utility of a truck for Home Depot runs, and pulling jet skis!
Appreciate 0
      03-04-2009, 12:24 PM   #9
xxForgedxx
Lieutenant
595
Rep
516
Posts

Drives: Slow/Fat
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: USA

iTrader: (1)

I want something that needs nothing, and if it needs something it isn't a big issue. Small things don't matter to me... the most tempting of the bunch is that 325i...
Appreciate 0
      03-04-2009, 12:26 PM   #10
Year's_End
Lieutenant General
Year's_End's Avatar
United_States
1112
Rep
12,442
Posts

Drives: 2020 Shelby GT350
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: FL

iTrader: (0)

Not considering an R32, Evo or Vette anymore?
__________________
Past: '08 E92 335i|ZPP|ZSP|6AT
Past: '15 Mustang GT|401A|PP|6MT
Current: '20 Shelby GT350|6MT
Appreciate 0
      03-04-2009, 12:33 PM   #11
xxForgedxx
Lieutenant
595
Rep
516
Posts

Drives: Slow/Fat
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: USA

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist View Post
Not considering an R32, Evo or Vette anymore?
I'm trying to figure out if that was a stab at me or a serious question.
Appreciate 0
      03-04-2009, 12:38 PM   #12
JIM E92
Lieutenant
15
Rep
410
Posts

Drives: 2007 328 Coupe
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Sandy Eggo

iTrader: (0)

You may be able to get a half reliable Miata in your budget.
Appreciate 0
      03-04-2009, 12:38 PM   #13
Year's_End
Lieutenant General
Year's_End's Avatar
United_States
1112
Rep
12,442
Posts

Drives: 2020 Shelby GT350
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: FL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by xxForgedxx View Post
I'm trying to figure out if that was a stab at me or a serious question.
No, it was actually a serious question...I dunno I just thought it'd be sick.

I did just notice that everytime I reply to you it tends to be on the condescending side, apologies.
__________________
Past: '08 E92 335i|ZPP|ZSP|6AT
Past: '15 Mustang GT|401A|PP|6MT
Current: '20 Shelby GT350|6MT
Appreciate 0
      03-04-2009, 12:51 PM   #14
desmat
First Lieutenant
desmat's Avatar
Canada
35
Rep
311
Posts

Drives: F31 M Sport
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Montreal

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
For 2k, you could probably find a decent Rabbit.
Appreciate 0
      03-04-2009, 01:20 PM   #15
kyleb350
Brigadier General
kyleb350's Avatar
United_States
422
Rep
4,709
Posts

Drives: '21 X3MC
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Milwaukee

iTrader: (6)

late 90s (early 00's?) Corolla or Cavalier would do the trick for me
Appreciate 0
      03-04-2009, 01:45 PM   #16
stickypaws
Dictator
stickypaws's Avatar
55
Rep
1,811
Posts

Drives: people crazy
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: where you want to be

iTrader: (0)

fwiw, I once had an old beater Volvo 142 with over 100K and it was the best beater car I ever owned. Actually it was one of the most dependable cars I ever owned. I put another 70K on it with minimal repair. Fun to drive. And a lot more fun than a Japanese appliance car.

You can find them for sale by Volvo nut case fanatics who have kept them religiously maintained.

You, too, could be a crazy Swede:

[u2b]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/itOL6XuAQAw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/itOL6XuAQAw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/u2b]
Appreciate 0
      03-04-2009, 02:41 PM   #17
Kream
Private First Class
10
Rep
160
Posts

Drives: 07 M Coupe, 11 GLK350
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (2)

85-89 Honda Accord
Appreciate 0
      03-04-2009, 04:18 PM   #18
xxForgedxx
Lieutenant
595
Rep
516
Posts

Drives: Slow/Fat
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: USA

iTrader: (1)

I'm worried about owning anything domestic either. A buddy of mine was given a 2000 Cavalier with 50,000 miles on it and in perfect condition minus the fucking cracked dashboard and it broke down on him on the most important trip he could have taken, $700 bucks later it was running. I can't have that shit...
Appreciate 0
      03-04-2009, 05:33 PM   #19
ChrisV
7er
ChrisV's Avatar
United_States
9
Rep
409
Posts

Drives: 1998 BMW 740iL
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Pikesville, MD

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
1998 740iL  [6.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by xxForgedxx View Post
I'm worried about owning anything domestic either. A buddy of mine was given a 2000 Cavalier with 50,000 miles on it and in perfect condition minus the fucking cracked dashboard and it broke down on him on the most important trip he could have taken, $700 bucks later it was running. I can't have that shit...
In that price range, ANYTHING you might find could potentially do that, though, regardless of manufacturer or condition when you buy it.
__________________
1998 740iL

Appreciate 0
      03-04-2009, 06:47 PM   #20
TwinTurboXI
Lieutenant Colonel
158
Rep
1,523
Posts

Drives: 2011 135i
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: .

iTrader: (12)

Check out nissan altimas in the 95-97 range.
Appreciate 0
      03-10-2009, 04:05 AM   #21
blue2fire
Brigadier General
blue2fire's Avatar
Cayman Islands
209
Rep
4,279
Posts

Drives: BMW 135i
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Location, Location, Location

iTrader: (8)

Quote:
Originally Posted by TwinTurboXI View Post
Check out nissan altimas in the 95-97 range.
Plus one, these cars are good for beaters.
__________________

BMW CCA
Member #420568
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gordon Murray View Post
Being a fan of Honda engines, I requested that they consider building for the F1 a 4.5 liter V10 or V12. I asked, I tried to persuade them, but in the end could not convince them to do it, and the McLaren F1 ended up with a BMW engine.
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:11 PM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST